We specialize in the following services:
McDonough's Tree Service has been working with trees in urban and natural settings for over 20 years. Our work includes consulting and on-site work with private, public and governmental companies. As arborists, our goal is perserve the beautiful scenery of the planet.
By regularly performing tree inspections and surveys for our clients, we are better able to customize our tree care to meet their specific objectives within prescribed budget constraints. We also offer appraisal, evaluations, and site planning services.
Low impact trimming and removal available, upon request. No heavy equipment or spikes used to trim or remove trees.
Your Trees Are Safe with Us!
We realize that our customers come to us because they care deeply about the health, welfare and mainly, the appearance of their trees. With recent weather patterns fluctuating as they do, we are seeing devastating affects on the hardiness and healthiness of trees and their foliage.
Pruning, in part, is the best method of preventative care. Lightening the load on strained branches will not only prevent breakage, it will also promote new, more healthy and balanced growth. Tree pruning is also utilized to clear electrical service lines in a way least harmful to the tree. The end result should be your tree's natural shape groomed to the most optimal aesthetically pleasing state possible. The most important part of pruning, however, is to prevent disease and to ultimately prevent the loss of a tree. Pruning is also the more economic approach to keeping healthy and safe trees. It usually costs less to prune a tree throughout its lifetime than to remove it in its prime or post-prime. And, it certainly costs less to prune a tree than to clean up the aftermath of a failed tree.
"Which One of My Trees Needs Care?"
Trees suffer many conditions. Some are brought on by nature and others by humans and/or human influence. Some natural causes of correctable problems in trees are co-dominant leads, the effect of the elements, fungus & disease and of course, old age. The negative effect humans have on their trees is by pruning them poorly or neglecting them entirely.
CO-DOMINANT LEADS
Trees often have limbs in their crown or perhaps even main leads that compete for nutrients and sunlight. This can, however, make for a dangerous situation when they become large enough. Neither contestant in the race for sunlight will have the appropriate strength for its size. This scenario is called "co-dominant lead". The worst case in this scenario is when this happens at the base of a tree. These particular trees are often in need of a cable system as well as a good professional pruning. Although pruning and cabling may suit certain situations, some trees may need the slightly less dominant lead removed. It is important that an expert handles this situation. The most important aspect of safely and effectively removing. If this cut is too close to the trunk there may be a situation for decay rather than healing. The same can happen if the cut is made too far from the trunk, crotch or Base or the limb.
EFFECT OF THE ELEMENTS
We all know that lightning strikes are a common cause of devastation to trees and property. Up until recently, there was no practical way to prevent such a disaster. Lightning protection systems, however, are becoming more widely used ad can be installed to protect trees that the homeowner wishes to preserve as well as prevent damages and property loss. Lightning can also cause irreparable jagged breakage that will attract water pooling which produces rot, invites fungus & disease and will ultimately claim the life of the tree.
Some trees are also experiencing the effects of a scorching summer sun combined with drought. Their extremities are browning and dying, often causing a rash of deadwood in the crown which is not only displeasing to look upon but is the beginning of a hazardous situation. The trees had produced this foliage and branches dependent upon a water source that has not been available in more recent years. Deadwood in the crown of a tree is most hazardous because it has the tendency to break and fall into the tree as a "hanger" or a "widow maker". This hung-up wood and debris is often not recognized until it is too late. It is important that an aerial lift is utilized when working on such a project in order to ensure that all hazards are removed from areas of the tree that are unable to be reached with other methods of pruning such as climbing.
The crown of a tree has many vulnerabilities to weakness. Their strength is put to the test during storms with whipping winds, and the weight of ice and snow or those combined. It is important to take preventative measures by pruning your tree correctly before the winter hits considering that more catastrophic breakage can occur during the season.
FUNGUS AND DISEASE
There are many diseases that trees are susceptible to. Disease-causing fungus, however, is the most incurable. Given the appropriate circumstances and environmental conditions fungi can enter the tree and cause disease. The types of disease they cause may be broken down into four categories which are: Canker diseases, Vascular Wilts, Foliage & Shoot diseases and Root & Butt diseases.
Canker diseases usually enter through wounds from un-repaired breakage or poor pruning cuts. This particular fungus affects the bark causing it to become discolored and often deeply eroded.
Vascular wilts are the result of fungus entering the trees internal nutrient and water transport system. If and when this occurs the tree will often show immediate signs of decline and ultimately it will die.
Foliage and shoot diseases are most common. Their main symptom is usually brown spots and/or blotches on the leaves, needles and branches. This disease is unfortunate considering it disrupts the aesthetic aspect of the tree. Trees will often live, however, for long periods of time with this particular fungus/disease.
Root and butt diseases are the most dangerous because they often exhibit no immediate visible symptoms and may cause the entire tree to fall. This is a fungus that silently decays the root system as well as areas of the trunk.
Some other diseases that are currently effecting trees in our area that are treatable are: Sycamore Anthracnose, Dogwood Anthracnose, Dutch Elm Disease, Apple Scab and Cedar Apple Crust. Most disease treatments are by injection and do not cure the disease but they will control it for a limited number of years and often need multiple treatments.
Bearing in mind the devastation that fungus and disease can cause it is important to keep your tree in ideal health. Proper pruning, deadwood removal, regular fertilizingand watering are the best ways to defend against such calamity.
OLD AGE
Trees that are of old age often have many needs. They may have a combination of problems such as deadwood, fungus, disease, and rot. These trees react poorly to a "hard" pruning and often need a gentle touch of pruning along with a deep root feeding. The surest way to preserve the life of an older tree is to remove the deadwood prune off any "suckers", supply the tree with food and a consistent source of water. "Suckers" are thick sprouty limbs that often appear on an older tree due to stress. They suck water and nutrients and are of no benefit to the strained trunk and crown of the tree. The deep root feeding that we offer is with a product that contains a hormone that causes the root system to undergo a growth spurt which will allow for years of maximum nutrient intake. The product used is also eco-friendly and has only positive effects on the area to which it is applied. The effects are often recognizable within a year. To the naked eye the foliage will appear more hardy and solid in color. Internally, the tree will be the strongest it could possibly be. It is also important that the tree gets the appropriate amount of water. Therefore, alternative methods of watering the tree may be necessary.
POOR PRUNING IN THE PAST
There are also many trees that suffer from poor pruning in the past. If your tree has suffered improper cuts that cannot be corrected there may be ground for fungal spores to multiply and infect your tree. Trees overcome by rot fungus and decay not only become discerning to look at but are often weak and hazardous. It is important that a professional makes the proper cuts when pruning your tree otherwise you may be setting yourself up for loss of a tree which often means loss of property and in the end the loss of hard earned money. Corrective measures often cannot be taken when cuts are made too close to the trunk and internal decay has already begun. This is why it is extremely important to have your tree pruned right the first time around.
NO PRUNING AT ALL
Some homeowners neglect to have their trees care for at all leaving the tree susceptible to many different types of disease and rotting. There are often "hangers" left within the crown of the trees. Co-dominant scenarios become oversized to the point that they are un-manageable. But most unfortunately, trees that would have lived full lives and provided shade and beauty on a property will often need to be removed because they have become a hazard and a threat to the property. This is a much larger cost to the customer than it would have been if the tree had been properly pruned throughout its life.
Know That Your Trees Are Safe With Us!
We are a small, tight-knit company that is owner operated. We guarantee that your estimate is complete in its explanation of work to be performed. We work hard to ensure that all of our customers are satisfied. We work very closely with our customers throughout the job to make sure that their suggestions, input and guidelines are recognized and carried out accordingly. We also have a very strong customer base to use as reference for further support to our customers
Free Woodchips
We offer free woodchips to anyone interested. No hidden costs, no catch. Woodchips can be used for many different purposes including landscaping around your home, flower gardens, areas where you would like to keep weeds to a minimum and many other uses. The woodchips come from our daily tree removals and may contain several different species of trees. We will deliver a full truck load to you that contains 15-20 yards of chips when we are in your area of town. You will be asked to describe where you would like us to leave the woodchips. Our trucks must be able to have access to your designated spot. If you are interested please call!
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